The software sector has a huge opportunity to help businesses in all sectors towards a more sustainable future. Smart solutions can help reduce energy consumption, optimise resource use, improve business efficiency and create entirely new innovations – all while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. However, the recent Sustainability in the Software Industry survey (2024) reveals that while sustainability is an increasingly important issue in the Finnish software industry, there is a growing need for sharing knowledge and practical solutions. To fill this gap, the SW4E ecosystem and the Green ICT project VISIIRI are now joining forces.
There are a number of common factors that speak in favour of starting this cooperation. Both actors bring together universities, businesses and other actors. Both are also working to promote the sustainability of software solutions.
“Sustainability is visible in the Finnish software industry, but there is still a lot of potential for development. Companies are focusing on reducing energy consumption and sustainable business models, but customer requirements for sustainability vary widely. Only some companies have adopted concrete sustainability measures, such as green coding and technical solutions to support energy efficiency. However, sustainability is becoming increasingly important and there is a need for more collaboration and sharing of best practices among industry players. That is why we have joined forces,” says Roope Pajasmaa, Senior ecosystem lead for SW4E at DIMECC Oy.
Mutual benefits
The actors involved in the SW4E ecosystem can develop their competences on the basis of the VISIIRI project’s materials, while the VISIIRI project can benefit from case studies from SW4E companies. In VISIIRI, companies can, for example, participate in the mapping of software handprint impacts and the development of green measuring systems. By participating in the development process, they can influence the measurement schemes and offer their own solutions for testing. The project will create a benchmark database of measurements. Companies will also have the opportunity to receive a case study in the guides produced by the project.
“I see a lot of benefits for both sides in ecosystem cooperation. The broad climate and environmental issues in the ICT sector can only be solved through cooperation, and it does not make sense to do things in isolation. VISIIRI’s themes include not only the greening of software in general, but also the climate and environmental impact of data centres and network traffic technology, so we can offer a broad perspective on the topic to SW4E companies,” says Antti Sipilä, VISIIRI Project Manager.
Collaborative events already in the autumn
The newly launched cooperation has got off to a fast start, as after just a few short meetings, the actors have already identified themes for events to be organised this autumn. The organisation of an event focusing on sustainability in the software industry was one of the wishes expressed in the Sustainability in the Software Industry survey.
| SW4E – Software ecosystem The SW4E ecosystem is a community of software-driven companies and research organisations that supports forward-looking software development and industry growth. Ecosystem members contribute strategically through active participation in working groups, steering group and networking events. Currently, AI and sustainable development in software engineering are key topics addressed in working groups formed by member companies. The SW4E ecosystem focuses on three main areas: promoting software engineering and strengthening its international profile, launching collaborative research and development projects, and promoting cooperation and networking among industry players. SW4E members 9/2024: Members of the ecosystem are KELA, M-Files, Innofactor, Boogie Software, Demola Global Oy, Q4US, CSC, University of Turku, University of Oulu, Aalto University, University of Jyväskylä, University of Tampere, Åbo Akademi and Business Finland. SW4E is funded by Business Finland and membership fees. For more information, please contact: – Senior Ecosystem Lead Roope Pajasmaa, roope.pajasmaa@dimecc.com, tel. 050 365 8351 SW4E website |
| VISIIRI – ICT ecosystem for green transition The Green ICT project VISIIRI creates an overview of the impact of the Finnish ICT sector on climate and the environment. The project supports the ICT sector’s green transition by connecting the sector’s actors in a national ecosystem, by making visible the ways of measuring the ICT sector’s environmental impact and energy-saving solutions, and by producing guidance and training materials for companies to raise environmental awareness. Project partners The coordinator of the project is TIEKE Information Society Development Centre. The project partners are the University of Eastern Finland, LUT University, the University of Oulu, TIVIA ry and the University of Turku. Cooperation with companies and contractors Accountor Finago Oy, Alvidiotech Oy, CTRL Reality Oy, Exove Oy, Hiottu Oy, MorrowX Oy, Netum Oy, NorthCode Oy, Solita Oy, Sorware Ay and Trail Openers Oy are partner companies in the project. Funding The project is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the ELY Centre of North Ostrobothnia. More information: – Project Manager Antti Sipilä, antti.sipila@tieke.fi, tel. 044 98 44 646 – Project website |
